Biology Department

Biology Courses - Nonmajor Curriculum

BIO 101: Human Biology, Science & SocietyCronin, Heiman
This course covers topics in human structure and function, human genetics, and human ecology. A scientific and bio-ethical approach is used to study issues related to society as a whole as well as to you as an individual. The overall goal of the course is to help you become more scientifically literate so that you can make informed decisions. Meets general academic requirement S and SC.

BIO 102: Biology of Movement Byrne
Students study the science of movement. The structure and function of the skeletal and muscular systems will be studied in detail. The nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular systems will also be studied. In addition, students will explore the biomechanics of movement. The course is especially designed for dance majors and others who have a particular interest in the biology of movement. Meets general academic requirement S and SC.

BIO 104: Biology of Birds Klem
A general overview of the study of avian natural history. Special attention is given to field techniques to identify, describe, and record the biology of birds in their natural habitat. Four class hours per week and field trips. Meets general academic requirement S and SC.

BIO 105: Concepts of Biology in Practice Cronin
A course designed to facilitate learning of biological concepts through laboratory experiences. Critical scientific thinking and science process will be emphasized. Meets general academic requirement S and SC.

BIO 107: From DNA to Cancer Walther
This course covers the biology of cancer, from the changes in DNA and cells that lead to cancer to treatment and prevention strategies. We will address the following questions: What is cancer? What
causes cancer? How can cancer be treated? Specific topics to be covered include hallmarks of cancer cells, causes of cancer (including environmental and hereditary factors, as well as infectious agents), and cancer genes, with a special focus on current topics in Cancer Biology. Meets general academic requirement S and SC.

BIO 109: From the Bubonic Plague to AIDS Much
Infectious disease has and continues to have a profound influence on man and the environment in which we live. Bubonic plague, smallpox, syphilis, malaria, and AIDS, as well as other emerging viruses, will be studied as specific examples of infectious disease. The biology of the microbes involved; their epidemiology, resulting pathology and control will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on the historical, political and social consequences of infectious disease. Offered as a course designed for Muhlenberg Scholars. Meets general academic requirement S.

BIO 111: Crisis EarthHeimanWith a growing human population and society’s increasing demands on the planet’s natural resources, we are entering an era of ecological crisis on Earth. This class will explore some of the major crises facing our planet from a scientific and social perspective. Students will develop an understanding of the science needed to appreciate, diagnose, and tackle environmental crises such as global warming, habitat destruction, invasive species, and pollution. The class will also explore some causes of and solutions to these ecological catastrophes from social, political, and management perspectives. This course is an introduction to many environmental topics and is designed to engage students from different disciplines in the increasingly important hunt for solutions to Earth’s environmental crises. Meets general academic requirement S and SC.

BIO 112: BiodiversityStaff
A survey of the diversity of life and its evolution, extinction and conservation. Readings, lectures and discussions will cover such issues as ethics of conservation, multiple-use forestry practices and ecological restoration. This course is intended for those students who are not interested in pursuing careers in the Biological Sciences and related disciplines but who have a strong interest in conservation and the natural world. Three class hours plus three laboratory hours per week, includes some field trips. Meets general academic requirement S and SC.

BIO 113: Marine Organisms and the Ocean Stamper
As a basis for understanding marine organisms and their lifestyle, this course will study the geological origins of oceans and plate tectonics, the nature of seawater, ocean bottom sediments, the atmosphere and its relationship with the oceans, waves, tides, and currents. Studies will include marine ecosystems, open ocean plankton and nekton, and organisms of the ocean bottom. The effects of human activities on ocean life will also be discussed. Course can be used to satisfy the earth science requirement for secondary education. Meets general academic requirement S and SC.

BIO 114: Humanity and the Biological World Stamper
The primary focus of this course is to examine the origin and nature of life forms that exist today and the effect of the human activity on those organisms. As a background for understanding those changes, the role of the environment and genetics in the evolution of living species will be studied. Review of biological, geological, and meteorological concepts will support the study. Meets general academic requirement S and SC.

BIO 115: Drugs and Drug Abuse TeissereWhen we talk about drugs, we tend to reinforce several artificial binaries: “good” vs. “bad” drugs; illegal vs. legal drugs; addictive vs. nonaddictive drugs; recreational vs. therapeutic drugs, etc. Are these binaries useful and representative? Does our moral panic over drug use make it challenging to see past these binaries? How might we conceptualize a different critical framework in which to discuss drugs and drug abuse? In this course, we will engage in a cross-disciplinary discussion about drugs and drug abuse by appealing to biological, sociological, historical, political, and anthropological points of reference. We will consider how power may define the representation of drugs in mass media and society and the resulting consequences for drug regulation. Additionally, we will discuss the pharmacology of drugs, the putative mechanisms underlying drug addiction, and emerging ethical issues surrounding "new" drug discovery. Meets general academic requirement S and SC.

BIO 116: Animal Behavior IyengarWhy do the cardinals on campus perch at the tops of trees and chirp so loudly? Why do earthworms emerge from the ground when it rains? Why do some killer whales hunt in packs and others hunt singly? This course is designed for students who want to better understand the mechanisms, evolution, and consequences of animal (including human) behavior. Topics such as communication, foraging, orientation, reproduction, and social behavior will be covered. In addition to gaining insight into animal behavior, you will also obtain a broader understanding of science, the scientific method, and some of the unanswered questions in the study of animal behavior. The lectures of this class will be supplemented by hands-on experiments, live animal observations, and film clips to gain a deeper understanding for animal behavior and the scientific method. There will be one required weekend field trip during the class, but you will have a few choices among which to choose. The class meets twice a week, for a two-hour time slot each time. Meets general academic requirement S and SC.

BIO 118: Genes, Genomics, and Society HarkIn this course, we will consider the impact of genetic and genomic information on both individuals and various aspects of society, with a particular focus on human health and disease. The course will begin with an introduction to human genetics, which will serve as background to allow us to discuss many conditions that have a genetic basis as well as consider medical and other uses of human (and other organisms’) genome sequence information. This course is designed for non-science majors who have an interest in the human condition. It is intended to equip students to better appreciate and evaluate medical and other scientific issues raised in the news and popular press. In addition to learning the underlying biology, much emphasis will be placed on discussion of related societal, ethical, and policy topics. Meets general academic requirement S and SC.